Wine Tasting Tours in Ronda

There are 18 vineyards in the area each producing small quantities of excellent wines with the D.O. Sierras de Malaga, category Serranía de Ronda. Wine tasting tours in Ronda cost on average 20 euros per person for tour, tastings, and tapita. Contact vineyard direct for reservation or ask us to do it for you.

This is no Napa Valley scene – no queuing, no hordes, no rush. This is Andalucia and life moves at a civilised pace!

Until recently there were just two vineyards offering tasting tours but most of the others have realised the value of enotourism and have opened to the public. But appointments usually have to be made and we can help guests of Los Castaños with arrangements. Tasting is relaxed and always includes a tapita.

Bodega Doña Felisa

One of the first to open its gates to the public was Chinchilla, or Bodega Doña Felisa. John and I attended a half-day mini-course which was such fun (especially when John fell backwards off his chair – before the tasting!) and so informative. It includes a classroom component, then a tour of the bodega, ending with a wine and tapas free-for-all. They offer just vineyard tours as well.

Joaquin Fernandez Winery

Another excellent vineyard is Joaquin Fernandez. It is 100% ecological and a good visit. Another of our personal favourites.

The Museo de Vino in central Ronda is accessible and tells an interesting story. They have wines on tap, a costume exhibition and much more.

History of wine-making in Ronda

One Roman centre of viticulture was Acinipo, just north of modern Ronda. Coins dating to 1st century AD have been found as illustrated below – one side shows a bunch of grapes (looks more like an aubergine to me!) and a star, the other has two ears of grain on either side of the name Acinipo.

The late nineteenth century brought phylloxera and the demise of the vine throughout most of Europe. Cuttings had to be brought in from the Americas to reestablish the crop.

But the vine now flourishes in Spain and, since my initial search for local wines in 2004 when I opened the hotel and found none available in the Ronda area, there are now about 18 bodegas. The majority of the vineyards are in the countryside around the old Roman town of Acinipo, exactly where they were 2000 years ago.